440 Morgan v John

440 MORGAN V JOHN

Montague Morgan of Bedwas, co. Monmouth, gentleman v Thomas John and John Thomas of the same, yeomen

December 1640 - January 1641

Abstract

Morgan complained that in Bedwas parish, Monmouthsire, in July 1640, John Thomas and Thomas John abused him in the presence of 'many credible persons', John Thomas maintaining that he was a better man than Morgan, giving him the lie, and calling him 'knave and polter', thereby much provoking him to duel. Process was granted on 4 December 1640 and both parties entered bonds; but the court had ceased meeting before the case could proceed.

Initial proceedings

5/180, Petition

'Your peticoner is a gentleman bearing armes aunciently descended, and hath alwaies lived in the fashion of a gentleman. Thomas John and John Thomas of Bedwas in the county of Monmouth, yeomen, did about the month of July last past, and within or neere the parish aforesaid, before many credible persons verie much disgrace your peticoner in abusive language, vizt. John Thomas said he was a better man then your peticoner and called your peticoner knave and polter; and gave your peticoner the lye, saying thou lyest, with other opprobrious speeches which much reflects on your peticoner and his whole familie; and to your peticoner's great provocacion to duell'

Petitioned for process to summon the two men to answer in court.

Maltravers granted process on 4 December 1640.

5/184, Plaintiff's bond

24 December 1640

Bound to 'appear in the court in the painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Signed by Henry Rumsey (of St Benedict's near St Paul's, London) acting for Morgan.

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of John Longland.

5/185, Defendant's bond

21 January 1641

Thomas John bound to 'appear in the court in Arundel house in the Strand without Temple Barr, London'.

Signed by John Thomas (on behalf of Thomas John).

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of John Longland.

5/186, Defendant's bond

21 January 1641

John Thomas bound to 'appear in the court in the painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Signed by John Thomas.

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of John Longland.

Notes

Montague Morgan did not appear in M. P. Siddons (ed.), Visitations by the Heralds in Wales (Publications of the Harleian Society, new series, 14, 1996).

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 5/180 (4 Dec 1640)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 5/184 (24 Dec 1640)
  • Defendant's bond: 5/185 (21 Jan 1641)
  • Defendant's bond: 5/186 (21 Jan 1641)

People mentioned in the case

• John, Thomas, yeoman
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Longland, John
• Morgan, Montague, gent
• Thomas, John, yeoman

Places mentioned in the case

• London
  • Arundel House
  • Strand
  • Temple Bar
  • St Benedict's
• Middlesex
  • Westminster
• Monmouthshire
  • Bedwas
• Wales

Topics of the case

• comparison
• giving the lie
• provocative of a duel